Shock at the ignition key.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 58
From: Jacksonville, Florida
Shock at the ignition key.
1977 with tilt and trim. The car sat for the last 7 years and Im getting back together.
When I turn the car off, I get a small shock at the ignition key in my thumb.
I just replaced all of the internals for the horn (but I was getting the shock even before I did that), horn now works. I also diagnosed an issue where I was getting no dash/gauge lights. I cleaned all of the terminals, fuses, as well as ignition buzzer box (buzzer not working). Dash lights as well as all interior, tail, brake, headlights, parking and turn signals DO work now. I Installed a new headlight switch. I currently have the tach/speedo cluster out, but I do have the headlight switch grounded.
Where should I start?
When I turn the car off, I get a small shock at the ignition key in my thumb.
I just replaced all of the internals for the horn (but I was getting the shock even before I did that), horn now works. I also diagnosed an issue where I was getting no dash/gauge lights. I cleaned all of the terminals, fuses, as well as ignition buzzer box (buzzer not working). Dash lights as well as all interior, tail, brake, headlights, parking and turn signals DO work now. I Installed a new headlight switch. I currently have the tach/speedo cluster out, but I do have the headlight switch grounded.
Where should I start?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 244
Likes: 112
From: Augusta Mo
I doubt highly that you can feel 12v, so you have some sort of secondary ignition short somewhere. Look closely at your plug wires.
Or if you have an MSD system, you could feel the trigger output of that if it was somehow shorted.
Or if you have an MSD system, you could feel the trigger output of that if it was somehow shorted.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,225
Likes: 7,823
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I think you can feel 12volts. So something is amiss in that column. I would be tearing into it looking for a bare wire.
Maybe pull fuses for turn signal and brake lights first and see if shock goes away.
My 77 never zaps me when shutting it off.
Maybe pull fuses for turn signal and brake lights first and see if shock goes away.
My 77 never zaps me when shutting it off.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 58
From: Jacksonville, Florida
Sorry, I should have been more clear. I get the shock when turning the ignition to off, even when I haven't started the car. I have factory electrical no MSD ignition.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 951
From: Corpus Christi, TX
It's not 12 volts the OP is getting through the key. When the ignition gets shut off, any juice left in the coil has to discharge somewhere. It can be a few hundred volts depending on how and when in a spark cycle the HEI module shuts off. Touch the + terminal on the coil while the engine is on and you'll feel it. A couple things to check, make sure the steering column is properly grounded. Make sure the switch itself near the base of the steering column isn't damaged. Last possibility would be the module, but get the other items squared away first.
